Fantasy football late-round breakout RB candidates: Who's this year's Bucky Irving?

Griffin Missant

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Fantasy football late-round breakout RB candidates: Who's this year's Bucky Irving? image

Every year, there is one of those true difference makers at the RB position late in your drafts. Last season, this was Bucky Irving of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Irving went off the board as the RB53 in 2024 fantasy football drafts. However, Irving finished as the RB16 overall on the year. This is a huge return on investment and is exactly what wins managers their leagues.

Of course, we're not guaranteeing that we'll have a Bucky Irving-level league-winner every year, but it's a pattern you need to seek out.

Finding this late-round value is crucial. First, it's essential to define what we are looking for. 

We need a young RB who has not yet proven himself. This does not need to be a rookie; the more important aspect is the opportunity for touches. 

LEAGUE TIPS: 2025 Fantasy Draft Kit

Which RB could be this year's Bucky Irving in 2025 fantasy drafts?

Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (ADP: RB53)

Before last week, it wouldn't have been a surprise if you had never heard of Croskey-Merritt. After all, his college career at Arizona ended strangely due to eligibility issues.

This led to the Commanders landing him in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Let it be known, he should not have been that low of the draft pick. 

Now that Brian Robinson has been traded to the 49ers, the opportunity for touches is undeniable. The only true competition for Croskey-Merritt is 30-year-old Austin Ekeler.

With the Commanders being projected as one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2025, there will be plenty of scoring opportunities for this backfield. So yes, there is merit to the hype for Croskey-Merritt. 

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Braelon Allen, New York Jets (ADP: RB48)

Allen checks every box of a late-round RB with immense upside.

The Jets organization as a whole has been unable to stop talking about the 21-year-old RB out of Wisconsin. 

This hype really started to pick up after preseason Week 2. This week, the Jets saw five third-down snaps with the starters in the game; Allen played all five of them.

While Allen has Breece Hall ahead of him, the Jets don't seem all that fond of Hall. Remember, people were afraid to draft Bucky Irving last year because Rachaad White was the starter. 

The Jets have said over and over that Allen is going to get more touches this year, which makes sense considering their new OC is former Detroit Lions assistant Tanner Engstrand.

Expect a Hall-Allen pairing that will attempt to model the Jahmyr Gibbs-David Montgomery tandem Engstrand and Ben Johnson enjoyed in Motown.

Don't be surprised if this backfield eventually turns into a committee -- even led by the "backup" bruiser. 

READ: 2025 fantasy RB sleepers to draft

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (ADP: RB49)

Similar to Braelon Allen, people are avoiding Benson because of the starting RB James Conner.

However, here is a list of the following members of the Arizona Cardinals who have said Benson will get more touches: head coach Jonathan Gannon, Kyler Murray, and James Conner himself. 

Most importantly, Conner has a history of missing games and just turned 30 years old. There's no doubt this is still Conner's backfield, but if Conner misses time, Benson is sure to explode. 

Even without an injury to Conner, Benson can be a viable flex option in deeper fantasy football leagues.

RUNNING BACK FANTASY RANKINGS: PPR RBs | Non-PPR RBs

Honorable mention late-round fantasy RB

Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys (ADP: RB43)

The only reason Blue is not in the section above is because of his recent ankle injury in the preseason. Blue suffered a low-ankle sprain, and his Week 1 status is in question. 

In a backfield up for grabs with Javonte Williams, Blue has continued to impress coaches in camp and preseason:

His speed and pass-catching ability make him an interesting late pick in fantasy football drafts. 

Again, monitor his ankle injury as he progresses, but drafting injured players is not the best idea. Blue could find himself on waivers and would provide an intriguing pick-up. 

TRACK BACKFIELDS: Fantasy RB handcuff rankings 2025

Griffin Missant

Griffin Missant joined The Sporting News in 2025 as a fantasy football intern. He graduated from Grand Valley State University, where he covered the Lakers football program. He has also worked for Sleeper and the Fantasy Trade Room. He has played fantasy for over a decade, and has been passionate about fantasy football ever since.